Item specifics:
Region of Origin: Asia (likely China or Tibet)
Type: Tea Caddy / Ginger Jar / Storage Vessel
Material: Copper body with Brass collar/accents
Decoration: Hand-etched Dragon and cloud motifs (faint due to age)
Dimensions:
Total Height: 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
Lid/Bowl Diameter: 5.2 in (13.2 cm)
Base Diameter: approx. 4 in (10 cm)
Condition: Rustic Antique Condition. The piece has a heavy, dark patina with significant signs of age. There is visible green verdigris (oxidation) on the interior and exterior of the lid. The etched dragon design is worn and faint. There are surface dents and scuffs consistent with a utilitarian antique.
Description A fascinating and rustic antique mixed-metal vessel, likely of Chinese or Tibetan origin. This piece functions as a storage jar (historically for tea, ginger, or tobacco) with a detachable lid that is shaped to serve as a drinking bowl or cup.
The vessel is crafted primarily from copper with a brass neck ring. The body features hand-etched decoration depicting a Dragon winding through stylized clouds. While the etching has worn smooth over decades of handling, the scales and sinuous form of the dragon are still visible upon close inspection.
Key features:
Construction: Two-piece set consisting of a bulbous jar and a fitted bowl-shaped lid.
Design: The deep, warm copper tone is accented by a brass collar at the rim.
Patina: The piece possesses a genuine "barn find" aesthetic with heavy darkening and areas of green verdigris, particularly on the lid.
This is a piece with serious character, ideal for collectors of wabi-sabi decor, Asian metalware, or antique opium/tea vessels.
